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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Telephone (07/17/08)
Fully Charged
I’d had a long day. You know the kind - you’re glad it’s over, but not sure where it went. Exhausted, I settled into my comfy bed. It felt heavenly, but my feet hit the floor seconds later. I had forgotten to plug my cell phone in to charge. I had to have my cell phone. It was my lifeline, my very existence. I fell asleep easily, thankful I had remembered to take care of my phone. It would certainly make tomorrow a better day.
I was startled at first by his voice. It was Grandpa Tate. He was softly calling my name and I smiled at the sound of his chuckle. “Hey, Darcy girl, how’s my best girl?”
I was delighted to hear from him. “Grandpa, how have you been? What are ya doin?” Gosh, I had been missing him!
“Oh, you know, I’ve been helping out here and there where I can. I dropped in to see your mom awhile ago. She was feeling a little blue and kinda lonely. Maybe you should go home for a visit, huh?”
“l know, Grandpa, but I’ve been working overtime a lot and I spent last weekend shopping. I’ve been meaning to go home, but the time just goes by and before you know it, I’m back at work for the week. I‘ll go home for the holidays.” Grandpa Tate always listened to me. He’d understand.
“I know, Darcy girl, but she needs you now. Your mom is kind of having that empty nest thing and she’s at a loss right now. I think she just misses your shenanigans around the house and well, she misses having me around to get in her way. I think a visit would do you both some good.”
I loved the sound of his weathered voice and I knew he was right. “I’ll see what I can do for next weekend. Maybe I can get off a little early.” It would take a miracle to accomplish that with my cranky boss.
Grandpa Tate cleared his throat and with the gentle wisdom I’d always loved him for, he whispered, “God wants you to have a full rich life, but He also wants you to remember your roots and wings, so don’t be too busy for your family. And Darc, don‘t forget praise and worship time. By the way, uh, when was the last time you went to church?”
I gulped with guilt, “I hear ya, Grandpa, I promise I will go to church Sunday. And . . . I double promise to go home next weekend. I haven‘t been there since, well, you know …” A wave of sadness hit me, but I was feeling pretty good about my plan.
“Good girl, Darcy. God will be pleased, your mom will be pleased and I am just plumb tickled. Oh, and honey, you’ve been a little slack about saying your prayers. Well, gotta go. You know I will always love you and look out for you. Bye-bye.”
I didn’t want him to go, but knew he must. “Bye, Grandpa, I will always love you more.”
The next morning, I woke with a purpose, my mind full of the intention to go home for a few days. I stretched, remembering my conversation with Grandpa Tate and my heart was happy. I became fully awake though with a jolt. That same Grandpa Tate had passed away several months ago. Our conversation couldn’t have been possible, but it had seemed so real. I could still hear his voice. Was it a dream? How could it be? We had “talked.”
I crawled out of bed and gasped when I realized that my cell phone laid on the pillow next to me. I picked it up. It was fully charged. I checked the “Call List.” No “Missed Calls.” Shaking, I looked at “Recent Calls.” The last call was during the night and was listed as “Private Number.” Feeling a little freaked out, I fell back on my bed trying to absorb how and why this could have happened, even praying for an answer.
I was soon filled with a peace, the kind beyond reason. Whether or not our visit was real wasn’t the issue. My beloved Grandpa Tate had a clear message for me.
With resolve, I held my cell phone and keyed a number I hadn’t called for awhile. “Hi, Momma, …”
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Sara Harricharan
07/24/08
Hmmm, lots going on here. I like the slight dream twist at the end, I was wondering about the conversation, since it appeared that she'd fallen asleep. My only note is that the Grandpa's dialouge, I didn't quite have him pegged for a guy that would say "uh" as a filler, between words. Just a thought-this was pretty good! ^_^
Sharlyn Guthrie
07/27/08
Your story is enjoyable, and the ending is good. For better readability leave spaces between your paragraphs. You gave the grandfather a wonderful voice. Keep up the good work.